CONWAY, Ark. _ A record setting performance against Lamar on Saturday has earned University of Central Arkansas running back Blake Veasley the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week Award announced on Monday.

    Veasley, a senior from Cherry Valley, Ark., set school records for carries (49) and rushing yards (292) in the most prolific game by a UCA running back in school history. Veasley scored four touchdowns to carry the Bears to a 35-17 victory over the Cardinals and push UCA's conference record to 4-1 with four games remaining.

    Veasley broke school records held by UCA Sports Hall of Famer Vaughn Edwards, who had 42 attempts against Northwest Missouri in 1980 and 248 rushing yards against Ouachita Baptist in 1978. Veasley was one short of tying the school record for rushing touchdowns. Kentrel Rogers (vs. OBU in 2005) and Brent Grimes (vs. Stephen F. Austin in 2008) both had five in a game.

    Veasley entered the game with 178 rushing yards on the season and now has 470 for the year, good for eighth place in the SLC. UCA played without sophomore running back Dominique Thomas, out with an injury, leaving Veasley to carry the load on the ground. The Bears ran for a season-high 313 yards on a season-high 67 attempts on a rainy night in Beaumont, Texas.

    UCA now returns home for two games, beginning with a Homecoming matchup with Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. Saturday.